Cup champ Team New Zealand unveils radical foiling monohull

Cup champ Team New Zealand unveils radical foiling monohull

BERNIE WILSON

Nov. 20, 2017

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Emirates Team New Zealand has unveiled the concept for a radical fully foiling monohull for the 2021 America's Cup.

The 75-foot boat, designed in conjunction with Challenger of Record Luna Rossa of Italy, will use twin canting T-foils to lift the hull completely out of the water in order to increase speed.

The AC75s will replace the foiling catamarans used in the last two editions of sailing's marquee regatta.

In the normal sailing mode, the boats will skim above the waves on the leeward foil and rudder, with the windward foil raised out of the water to reduce drag. Both foils can be lowered in pre-starts and through other maneuvers to provide extra lift and roll control, also useful in rougher sea conditions.